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Undergraduate Major
English Education (BA)

Instill a Love of Words in Middle and High School Students with a Degree from SNHU

Turn your passion for English language arts into a rewarding teaching career with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Southern New Hampshire University. This unique program equips you with the skills to teach middle and high school students to read and interpret literature and write for a variety of purposes.

Because SNHU emphasizes real-world experience, our degree also offers distinct advantages over similar programs. Here, you won't have to wait until senior year to get into a classroom. Our students begin working-not just observing-in real classrooms during the first semester of their freshman year, and the program culminates with year-long student teaching. You'll graduate with a deep understanding of English language arts while meeting all New Hampshire state requirements for teacher certification (this certification may be reciprocal in some states, but many will have further requirements to fulfill). Additionally, students completing this program are eligible for a minor in English Language and Literature.

See Yourself Succeed with a Degree in English Education

As a student, you'll graduate with a deep understanding of English language arts, while building the skills and knowledge base you will need to seek a teacher certification after graduation.

With a B.A. in English Education, you'll:

Engage in courses that are taught on site in local middle schools and high schools

Begin gaining field experience in the first semester of your freshman year

Become qualified for career opportunities at the middle and high school levels

Learn from faculty with extensive experience and valuable connections

Engage in year-long student teaching for outstanding preparation for the classroom

As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of majoring in English Education at SNHU include:

Supportive community. Join the SNHU campus community of fewer than 3,000 students, with faculty and staff dedicated to your success.

Affordability. SNHU is one of the most affordable private, nonprofit universities in New Hampshire, and students who qualify could receive up to $20,000 in grants and scholarships. (This scholarship amount is only for students who do not need a visa to study in the U.S.)

Innovative programs. Study abroad at little or no extra cost.

Accessible faculty. Learn from highly credentialed faculty who are experts in their fields and interact with you in the classroom, dining hall, fitness center, and more.

Opportunity. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni and strong connections with employers for internship and career opportunities.

Campus experience. Enjoy more than 50 student clubs, champion Division II athletics and fun events on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, named a "Best Place to Live" by Money magazine.

​Internships & Outcomes

Students in SNHU's English Education program will gain a broad and integrated liberal arts background and the techniques, knowledge and experience to help middle through senior high school students develop to their highest potential.

One unique feature of the program is the year-long student teaching experience, through which students work full-time with an established teacher. Students apply for student teaching a year in advance and must complete all course requirements (including passing the PRAXIS II exam) before student teaching begins.

The program meets the requirements for New Hampshire certification to teach English in middle and high school.* (New Hampshire teaching certification may be reciprocal in some states, but many will have further requirements to fulfill.) According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, high school educators can expect to see jobs in the field grow at an 8% rate between 2016 and 2026.

*This program is approved by the New Hampshire State Department of Education for Teacher Certification as leading to an initial teacher's license or endorsement in New Hampshire. Southern New Hampshire University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, endorsement, or salary benefits. View disclosure information.

Curriculum

We pair classroom knowledge and theory with significant field experience, including student teaching in your senior year. At SNHU, you'll examine traditional, innovative, and research-based approaches to teaching. Our graduates are prepared professionals with the passion and skills to make a difference in today's secondary schools.

The program leads to teacher certification and culminates in a year-long student teaching experience, where you'll work full-time with an established teacher. Students will graduate with a deep understanding of English language arts while meeting all state requirements for teacher certification. Additionally, students completing this program may be eligible for a minor in English Language and Literature.

SNHU faculty members have experience teaching adolescents and remain current in the field. Faculty members are award winners, members of state education committees, and your biggest supporters.

Courses To Prepare You For Your Career

SNHU's bachelor's in english education program includes:

General education

Degree-specific courses

General Education Program

Our programs are designed to equip you with the skills and insights you need to move forward. In recent years, employers have stressed the need for graduates with higher order skills - the skills that go beyond technical knowledge - such as:

Writing

Communication

Analysis

Problem solving

All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.

View Full Curriculum in the Catalog

Courses May Include

DEV
106
Child Development

This course surveys and focuses on child growth and development from birth through the life cycle. Theories pertinent to individual stages are provided and the sociological, cultural and psychological aspects of human growth and development are included. An overview of all developmental stages will be covered.

EDU
102
Foundations of Education

This course give students an overview of American education including history, philosophy and current issues. It will introduce students to strategies for creating a learning environment that support student learning.

EDU
102L
Foundations of Education Lab

This course will introduce students to classroom structures that support differentiated instruction and other research-based approaches for effective teaching. Topics include lesson planning and reflection, state standards and grade level expectations, small group and whole group instruction, and assessment tools strategies.

This course provides students with innovative and authentic learning experiences about middle-level education. Topics include team teaching, advising, integrating curriculum, active learning, cooperative learning, trackless classes, block scheduling, community service programs, health education, and full exploratory and concentrated curriculum.

EDU
328
Teaching in the High School

This course helps to prepare students to teach at the high school level. It is designed for social studies and English Language Arts certification candidates. There will be a strong focus on competency-based educational practices.

EDU
338
Teaching Writing in the Humanities

This course prepares students to teach writing to grades 5-12 using an interdisciplinary approach. Students will explore the history and chronology of great ideas, integrating their knowledge of content subjects while creating writing opportunities for their students.

EDU
425
Literacy Strategies Secondary Education

This course focuses on the development of reading and writing strategies in support of the content areas in grades 5-12. Students will become familiar with effective practices used to support the development of literacy strategies for students on the secondary level.

EDU
435
Learning with Technology

This course develops students' knowledge and skill with technology with the ultimate aim of using technology to enhance student learning and achievement. This course also introduces students to learning target (standards/outcomes) and a general model of curriculum development, implementation and assessment.

EDU
490
Student Teaching and Seminar

All teacher education majors seeking certification will participate in 16 weeks of full-time practice teaching at nearby schools. During the 16 weeks, the student teacher receives close and continuous supervision and guidance from teaching personnel at the school and by a member of the Southern New Hampshire University faculty. This course also includes seminars at the university.

EDU
497
Ethics in Secondary Teaching

The purpose of this course is to prepare teacher candidates of secondary school certifications for the ethical decisions they will confront in their professional lives. Students will explore ethical best practice and decision-making regarding professional responsibility, caring for students, and promoting the well-being of the school and community.

EDU
487
Student Teaching I

This course is the first of two full-time student teaching experiences required for undergraduate students seeking teacher certification. Students spend four days each week in a NH public school under the mentorship of a certified teacher for one full semester. During this time, the student teacher receives close and continuous supervision and guidance from teaching personnel at the school and by a member of Southern New Hampshire University faculty. This course also includes seminars at the university. Acceptance to Student Teaching is required.

ENG
350
The English Language

This course is an introduction to the following topics in English linguistics: history of English, etymology, vocabulary (morphology), phonology, dictionaries, syntax, semantics, dialects, discourse analysis, and child language acquisition. The course is designed for students who want to learn about the English language as preparation for teaching, or for becoming better writers, or for studying literature. Students will have the opportunity to research, write about, and present on a linguistic topic of individual interest such as the language of advertising or propaganda.

Total Credits: 120

Program Outcomes

Organize and synthesize the core concepts and principles of the subjects they teach in accordance with local, state, and national standards;

Our Manchester campus aims to keep tuition and related costs low for our students so that you can pursue your degree and your goals. More than 90% of our students receive some form of financial aid, and students who qualify could receive up to $20,000 in grants and scholarships.